Fryers came through United’s academy and made six appearances for the Old Trafford outfit. However, he refused to sign a long-term contract, allowing Tottenham to step in.

Yet the anticipated deal failed to materialise last summer as the Premier League rivals were unable to agree a compensation package.

It left Fryers free to sign for any club in Europe for no fee and he subsequently joined Belgian outfit Standard Liege on a two-year deal in August.

However, it has come as no surprise to Ferguson that Fryers should now join Tottenham at the first available opportunity, and he is not happy about it.

“I am disappointed in Tottenham,” said Ferguson.

“It is a blatant manipulation of the situation. They tried to buy him from us at the end of last season but we couldn’t agree terms. Then they took him on trial, came back from Portugal and said they couldn’t afford him.

“All of a sudden he signed for Standard Liege but I expected him to go to Tottenham in the January window.

“The league should look into it. They should stop the registration until they examine it. There will be a trail. Either mobile phones or something. It is obvious to me.”

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